Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Pete Gossett on Monday,October 29, 2012, 12:52:55 PM
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Now that I have the Zetec mounted on a stand in my shop, I can see the stock oil pan looks like it will be a problem. Not only does it hang low, but with the engine designed for a rearward tilt in its transverse orientation, the sump will sit at a tilt when mounted in the Europa - which I don't imagine will be the best idea when fitted with sticky 245mm-wide autocross tires!
So I searched for alternatives. I found several dry-sump offerings, but they're both pricy and overkill for what I need. I also found a couple cast wet-sumps that replace the 2-piece stock unit, but they're over $500 as well!
I figured I'd ask for input first, but if nothing suitable is out there, I'll probably just make my own via one means or another.
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I have a stock pan as well. I was concerned that it hung low. As it turned out it is no lower than the lowest part of the transmission. I was going to get another pan and cut the bottom off and level it out. I talk to Richard Winter at length about this and he said unless I was going racing, there was probably no need to do anything.
If I decide to do anything it will be along the lines of the Dunnell oil sump like the one pictured below.
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Do you do much autocrossing or track days with your Europa Joe? I am worried about oil starvation on wide sticky autocross tires.
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I race a 914 Porsche and a BMW 2002. If I was going to modify the Zetec pan I would put a windage tray and baffles in while I have it off the engine. Also you have to modify the oil pickup as it is in the wrong place on the stock configuration.